An interim evaluation of Business Finland’s Digital Native Finland (DNF) Mission finds that the mission-oriented approach has created strategic value for digitalisation policy, but that its practical impact has been limited by structural and operational constraints.
Launched in 2021, the DNF Mission was designed to bring greater coherence and direction to Business Finland’s activities supporting digital transformation and innovation in Finland. The interim evaluation was carried out in autumn 2025 as part of the assessment of Finland’s two pilot missions (DNF and Zero Carbon Future) and their mission-oriented approach.
Strategic framework and responsiveness as key strengths
The evaluation finds that the DNF Mission has provided a credible strategic framework for Business Finland’s digitalisation-related work. It has helped bring together programmes and campaigns focused on areas such as the data economy, artificial intelligence, 6G, quantum technologies and digital resilience.
A key strength has been the mission’s ability to respond to changes in the operating environment. Examples include the rapid launch of the Generative AI Campaign and the integration of defence-related themes into the Defence and Digital Resilience Programme.
Constraints in implementation
At the same time, the evaluation points to clear implementation challenges. The mission’s operational influence has been constrained by limited resources, lack of formal authority and the absence of system-level instruments for experimentation.
In practice, implementation has relied heavily on individual leadership and informal coordination. For many companies and research organisations, the mission has remained largely invisible, as engagement has taken place mainly through individual programmes and campaigns rather than through the mission as a distinct strategic layer.
Recommendations for future
The evaluation recommends several steps for Business Finland to strengthen its future efforts for promoting digitalisation. These include reinforcing ecosystem-driven innovation, expanding experimentation-oriented activities, adapting funding instruments to fragmented digital and software ecosystems, addressing early-stage funding gaps for SMEs, clarifying programme identity and improving coordination across programmes.
The DNF evaluation was conducted by 4FRONT and Technopolis Group. The parallel evaluation of the Zero Carbon Future mission was conducted by Sweco Finland. The missions were evaluated separately, alongside a synthesis report.
